Best dog tick remover tools according to redditors
We found 68 Reddit comments discussing the best dog tick remover tools. We ranked the 13 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 68 Reddit comments discussing the best dog tick remover tools. We ranked the 13 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
Ticks = high socks, long pants, carry a tick key
Bears = stand your ground and look big, don't run cause they will definitely catch you. You don't want a bear to catch you.
Snakes = scream like a little girl and run away. 100% effective in all situations.
Moose = find a thick patch of trees you can move through. Moose are not nimble creatures and end of season males have giant antlers - they cannot maneuver well in dense trees.
Little flying bitey things = cover your skin in clothing or bug spray. If this fails, curse the gods and swat the air wildly.
Little critters that want your food = learn to properly hang a bear bag and do it - every. single. time. Critters just want your food don't give 'em a reason to hang around.
Bigfoot = negotiate a peace treaty using Jack Links Beef Jerky
The last data shows 992 confirmed cases in the entire country. That's not "ground zero". The state of Pennsylvania alone had 9250 confirmed cases in 2018.
You can live in fear if you want, but it's not really as big a deal as the media hype is making it out to be. If you get a tick and have symptoms, by all means see a doctor... and if you're really concerned about removing ticks, get one of these. Stop buying into media fear mongering though.
+1 for the tick key. Anytime we've found a tick on our dogs or ourselves this thing removes it super easy and always gets all of it.
http://tickkey.com/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000R1D3KQ/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1367889219&sr=8-1&pi=SL75
https://www.amazon.com/TickEase-Remover-Safest-Removal-People/dp/B00KI1I7BU
I like a proper tick key for removing ticks. Just feels like a more assured and complete removal.
I use this one: Tick Twister Tick Remover Set with Small and Large Tick Twister https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BECRHEO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_CfIOAbD98JBKD
Personally I'd go with a 4 person unless you have a pressing need to try for smaller.
I recommend having a towel to wipe them down as they come into the tent and I really like having a moving blanket down inside to protect the tent and catch dirt.
Remember to check for ticks daily and have a removal system ready.
Don't remove them with tweezers, if you're concerned about doing it the right way. Pinching them with the tweezers could result in the head being left in the skin, which could lead to infection.
Tick keys are the way to go, they're designed specifically to remove the head with the body.
https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Key-Products-TickKey-Remover/dp/B000R1D3KQ
If the ticks haven't attached yet, you can simply brush your dog to get most, if not all, ticks. You need to be thorough, as they can be in places you won't necessarily think of, such as the back of the legs.
I use a slicker brush on my Aussie, as I like the better coverage of the many fine teeth.
Once ticks are attached, it can be a pain depending on your dog's fur type. For instance, with an Aussie, it's easy to miss ticks, especially ticks that are attached, until they have plumped up. Regardless, the simplest and safest way to remove them is with a tick twister (there are various kinds, such as http://www.amazon.com/J-A-K-Otom-Twister-Silicone-Handle/dp/B0037DD27U/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1382917225&sr=8-14&keywords=tick+twister).
You shouldn't just pull them out or use other methods such as Vaseline or matches. One, Vaseline and matches aren't really effective, and two, pulling can cause you to squeeze tick juices in which can infect your dog with disease a lot quicker. You may also accidentally separate the body from the head, leaving the head embedded. Plus, sometimes those suckers are really attached and just won't pull out.
This product is great for removing them, doesn't take up much room in the keychain or wallet either.
They make tick tweezers and also tick removers. I've used both of these
http://www.amazon.com/Contech-300000772-Tick-Twister-Pro/dp/B000VUSV6Y/ref=pd_sim_sbs_petsupplies_4
http://www.amazon.com/Ticked-Off-Pets-Remover-White/dp/B00008434T/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_1
It’s always a good idea to keep a tick remover on you for walkies too, because they can still bite even if your dog is treated.
I use this one that attaches to my keychain.
Same on Panhandle Trail. Not much help but these removers (or something similar) are cheap and light to carry on you. Much easier than tweezers.
Tick Twister Tick Remover Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BECRHEO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_qQj2AbZK37475
Always better to build one yourself.
Here's mine. Might give you some ideas.
6x6 Med Pouch (Modified with fingernail polish)
Not all of this fits inside the med pouch itself. It's meant for quick access to the critical items.
oh boy do I have a fun tool for you... The Tick Twister https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Twister-Remover-Small-Large/dp/B000VUSV6Y?th=1
I seriously swear by these little tick removing crowbars. I get ticks all the time and have never had a problem when I use these things. Small one is for deer ticks, the Larger one is for regular size ticks.
Yeah, I try to keep one of these Tick Keys in my disc bag. They can be found for a few bucks at walmart. havent had to use one yet but it has good reviews
https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Key-Removal-Pack-Multi/dp/B0014B1TR2/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1492617394&sr=1-5&keywords=tick+remover
I want to preach about this product https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Removal-Tool-TRIX-Lasso/dp/B001QC34LS
pulled many a tick off totally intact, all legs wrigglin. Also, they can't get away, fully captive until you dispatch them.
Tweezers are second best in my book. My recommendation would be to get a tick lasso instead. I pick a couple of ticks every day off my cats and dogs with one, and it's quick, painless, difficult to fuck up and I've yet to leave a head behind.
Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Removal-Tool-TRIX-Lasso/dp/B001QC34LS
Awareness is most effective. People are often so much in their heads that they don't notice what's crawling on them. But if you brush or wash a crawling tick off before it bites, that's safest. Once it bites, it releases a chemical that can inhibit your perception of it.
After awareness, self-inspection is important. Lyme disease is not transmitted until the tick has been attached for 24 - 36 hours, so thorough daily inspection should prevent infection.
Dunno if it’d work just as well with people but don’t even risk the oil with pets and ticks, just use this
I lean more toward separate tools for each function; knife, tweezers, scissors, tick pick, clippers, pen. If you get UL versions of each, the total weight is about the same as a multi-tool, but each tool works far better than the multi-tool version.
[CountyComm] (https://countycomm.com/) is a good source for some of these tools.
I know this adds up to 60 g, but weighed together they are: 59 g (2.0 oz).
I will admit that for EDC, a single multitool in the pocket (or on the belt) is far handier than carrying a small ziplock with all of my separate tools. But in the pack, I'll go with the ziplock toolkit every time.
But if someone knows of a better (lighter weight) nail clipper, please reply.
Here’s a better breakdown of the stuff I bring. A lot of it I bring in a “better safe than sorry” mentality. I try to keep most of the ten essentials with me, and honestly, they take up so little space and weigh so little that it’s just easy for me to keep them in the pack and always have them with me. It’s like putting on your seat belt in a car- there’s VERY little chance you’ll crash, but it’s so easy to do that I figure I may as well!
Stuff for Adults
· Hiking Boots
· Wool Socks
· Shorts
· Workout Tops
· Cell Phones
· Sunglasses
· Mountain Warehouse Day Pack
· Nalgene 32 Ounce Bottle
· Coghlan’s Bear Bell
· Snacks
· First Aid Kit with Tick Removal Tool
· SOL 2-Person Emergency Bivvy
· Whistle
· Compass
· Map
· Headlamps
· Bug Lotion
· Toilet Paper
Stuff for Baby
· Baby Sun Hat
· NUBY Bug Net
· MEC Shuttlecraft Kid Carrier
· Infantino Up Close Newborn Carrier (as a back-up carrier if she wanted to change positions)
· Spare Polyester Onesie
· Pacifier (and back-up pacifiers)
· GERBER First Essentials Bottle+ Formula
· Munchkin Formula Dispenser
· Diapers
· Wipes
· Coppertone Waterbabies Stick Sunscreen (would bring sunscreen for adults if not carrying this)
· Tylenol (for baby)
· Benadryl (for baby)
We tried Bravecto on our dogs when we lived in Florida and it did nothing. We had better luck with Revolution. I think it depends on the species of ticks though. Have you invested in one of these yet? https://www.amazon.com/Ticked-Off-Pets-Remover-White/dp/B00008434T/ref=sr_1_24?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1525383842&sr=1-24&keywords=tick+removal+tool I cannot get ticks off without it!
This is your best bet,
http://www.amazon.com/Contech-300000772-Tick-Twister-Pro/dp/B000VUSV6Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404786688&sr=8-1&keywords=tick+twister
Look up vids about tick twister. Super safe for the dog!!!
Tick Twister! This works fantastically well. Our vet used it on a tick that I had missed on our dog and I ordered a couple from Amazon to have on hand. This thing gets the entire tick with no fooling around:
http://www.amazon.com/Contech-300000772-Tick-Twister-Pro/dp/B000VUSV6Y/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405077454&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=tick+twiser
https://www.amazon.com/TickEase-Tick-Remover-Tipped-Tweezers/dp/B00KI1I7BU
Use a tick scoop. Works great. http://www.amazon.com/Ticked-Off-Pets-Remover-White/dp/B00008434T
Get a tick key, they're cheap. You slide it under the attached tick and pop it off.
I got a tick attached to me last week, after a stroll through the park. First time that's ever happened to me, as far as I'm aware.
Caught it about four hours after getting home, used one of those keys to pop if off.
Maine here. The ticks have been insane. My toddler had one on her eye a few weeks ago.... literally attached to her tear duct... and I flung myself from the passenger seat into the back to get it off of her when I noticed. She was a champ.
Buy one of these TickEase Tick Remover Dual Tipped Tweezers, it is such a lifesaver. Has never failed to get the head, from large or tiny ticks.
This is what I use in the unfortunate event I find a tick on me or a family member. It's also what we used to use when I worked in the Emergency Department, which was a recommendation I could live with.
Don't overthink it. Hiking/camping is just the art of being outside and not dying - if you're only going on a one or two day trip it's really easy not to die.
You should bring at least 1.5L of water per day of your hike, more when the weather is hot like this.
Use sunscreen, especially if you're on a hike without much tree cover.
Make sure your cellphone is fully charged and have either a paper map or a map that you can access offline.
Bring food.
Tell someone where you're going before you go.
Carry your gear in a backpack or fannypack, not in your hands or a handbag.
Make sure your pack is comfortable before you leave for the trail - you'll be wearing it on your shoulders for hours so make sure the weight is distributed well and that there are no spots which poke you in the back. You probably don't need a special hiking backpack with a frame, you'll be fine with a bookbag. Bonus points if the straps are padded and it has a strap that goes across your breast.
Ignore anyone who tells you to get hiking boots. Just wear a lightweight sneaker that you know you're comfortable wearing all day. If you're going overnight bring along a pair of sandals or something you can wear at camp. Your feet will be swollen at the end of the day so make sure you sit with them elevated for at least a few minutes occasionally.
This is tick country so check yourself for ticks when you stop. They like the warm crevasses of your body - think crotch, armpits, behind your knee, etc. Don't worry about ticks to much because you'll usually have a few hours between when they get on you and when they actually start sucking blood. You can safely remove them using a tick key.
Anyone have any luck with these? I've been working in the woods a a lot this spring and though I havn't got a tick yet, some of the guys I've worked with have. http://www.amazon.com/Tick-Key-Products-TickKey-Remover/dp/B000R1D3KQ
Haven't noticed an up-tick (har) in Oklahoma / Arkansas yet. Be sure to carry a Tick Key
I have one of these tick removal tools which resemble a mini crowbar. They work great and remove a tick (live or dead) in a matter of seconds with no stress on the dog.
NB. You don't use it like a crowbar though, you scoop under the tick's head as close to the skin as possible then twist so the tick is removed cleanly, mouthpieces and-all.
---
But yeah, as another comment mentions, practice feeling and fussing your dog all over so they become accustomed to having all areas of their body inspected and touched. Then next time your dog gets a tick, has a minor cut which needs dressing, needs de-shedding / brushing, washing, etc. you'll have a much easier time.
Well, this got far longer than I intended. I hope you get something useful out of it, I did a brief summary at the end if you want to just skip to that.
The most important gear to have would be a way to contact someone if necessary. Assuming there is service, a cell phone suffices. I doubt you are going far enough into the wilderness for now that you will be out of cell reach. But keep an eye on the signal on your first trip on a trail, you don't want to find out you're in a dead zone after you realize you need to contact someone. An additional option would be an emergency whistle, some of them are capable of blasting over 120 decibels and are small enough to fit in a small first aid kit (see below) or wear around your neck. Three blasts are the commonly accepted signal for "Can I get some help over here please?!" Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to be back, so they can send out the cavalry in case you get turned around and can't make cell contact.
If you are going off pavement onto trails, take a map of the general area showing the trails in case you get turned around. Caltopo or Google maps are the most commonly used source for free, printable maps these days I believe. Just remember, typical printer paper and ink aren't waterproof, so slip them into a ziploc in case of rain. If you are going to be hiking in a managed area, contact whoever is in charge of managing it, as they probably have excellent maps available. If all else fails, there are often good maps at trailheads. Just don't get there empty-handed to hike counting on there to be a map. There are also lots of apps available like Gaia, Alltrails, Hiking Project, etc. A small (half-dollar size) pocket compass to orient yourself is handy to have, in case your cell phone dies and you don't have it to reference. Too many people act like there is no chance of them dropping or sitting on their phone or having it just decide to crap out on them. A small compass would also fit in a small emergency kit (see below).
Also important is to carry water. How much depends on the weather, distance, etc. Use you judgment and then carry a little more. A liter (maybe two?) should be enough for a couple of hours hiking. A snack or energy bar can be nice to have in a pocket in case your energy levels start to crash as well.
Another very important consideration is your footwear. If you are going to be hiking on established trails or paths, I don't personally think you need boots and would probably be better off in very comfortable walking or trekking shoes. They are far more lightweight (less fatiguing) and breath better than most boots. Speaking of breathing, waterproof anything = barely breathes. For spring, summer and fall, you'll probably be more comfortable in good breathing shoes that aren't waterproof but can dry quickly (including your sweat). Sweaty feet lead to them slipping around in the shoe, which leads to blisters. The only reason I would suggest boots is if you are going to be hiking over rough, rocky terrain or lots of roots that make for an uneven surface. In that case, good boots laced tightly can save you from twisting an ankle. Whatever you get, don't buy them at Walmart, go somewhere where the help has a clue. Don't be afraid to throw an aftermarket pair of insoles in there from the outset if they make the shoe/boot feel perfect, especially fully supporting your arch. Whatever you get, break them in slowly. Don't start with a 10 mile hike unless you like pain. If you've got a good pair of very comfortable, great fitting (no foot slippage!) and supportive walking shoes that aren't worn out right now, try them before blowing a bunch of money on something fancy.
Along with good walking shoes goes good walking socks. Cushioned merino wool hiking socks are always preferred over cotton, possibly with a sock liner if you are prone to blisters. The perennial favorite is Darn Tough Merino Wool Cushion Socks (lifetime guarantee!), but pick whatever you like. Just get something with cushioning (but not way too much that will make your foot slip around in your shoe). Don't worry about wool being hot, merino wool is some magical, physics-defying material. Just don't get winter-weight socks, you'll be fine. Merino wool socks can be hiked in for literally days and not pick up any odor, wool is naturally anti-microbial. Synthetic socks, on the other hand, can reek after a few hours and the smell will not want to come out.
Lastly on the foot front, take something like moleskin or similar blister care/prevention with you from the outset. Even sports tape or a band-aid will help in a pinch. A little first aid kit (throw it in a little ziploc baggie, no need to buy one) with some moleskin, a couple of band-aids, a safety pin (pops blisters, field repair ripped clothing/zippers/broken buttons), a couple of benadryl and advil, maybe some sting-eze along with your emergency compass will slip into any pocket. The key here is that as soon as you feel a hot spot, or rubbing on any part of your foot, STOP IMMEDIATELY, remove your shoe and sock, inspect the area and put something over the spot that is being rubbed. Check inside of your shoe, is there anything inside that might be causing the rub? Nobody ever wants to stop to mess with an annoyance in their shoe, so they soldier on. Well, it isn't going to go away, and it's just going to keep getting worse and worse until you can't walk on it. And it'll be too damn late to do anything preventative by then. So stop and take action as soon as you feel it. Sometimes just re-tying your shoe can stop the slippage. Don't ignore it. Your feet will toughen up, but if it's a recurring problem, consider sock liners, different shoes, pre-taping that spot before starting your hike, etc.
What to wear depends on the weather (temperatures and rain) and sun in your area. Clothing generally blocks sun better than sunscreen, but it can also make you hotter. Sunburns suck and lead to melanoma. Always wear a cap that will breath and is designed to keep the sun off of your face (a wide brim all the way around is great, if not a fashion statement). Cotton clothing is generally not pleasant once it's drenched with sweat (or rain), doubled or more in weight and sticking to you, but it is more effective at cooling you when it's wet (which is also why it can be deadly if it gets wet and the temperatures drop - and I'm not talking down to freezing). Performance synthetics are better at drying and blocking sun, but some can hold onto stink like nobody's business, even through washes. Lightweight merino is great, but they don't give that stuff away and it isn't as durable as synthetics. You can get by with whatever you've got in the closet to get started. I prefer synthetic, stretchable, hiking pants; jeans generally suck for hiking. They are restrictive, they bind when you want to raise your leg high, once they get wet they stay wet all day, so on and so forth. If all you've got is jeans or shorts, go shorts if the weather allows. Just remember, any skin you like cancer free needs to be covered with clothing or sunscreen.
Depending on the tick and mosquito intensity in your area, long pants/sleeves can help there, too. For sure, make use of bug repellent like DEET or Picaradin (hint: the "all natural" stuff doesn't really work) if you will be out in the early morning or evening for mosquitoes, or walking through grass for ticks. If you will be going off of established dirt paths and ticks are a real problem in your area, consider treating your clothes with permethrin. I'm really a believer in combining permethrin on my clothing with picaridin on my skin to prevent tick bites. If you do pick up a tick, do not pull it out with tweezers, or burn it or put oil on it or any of the other crappy old wives tales. That will likely just result in it spewing its bacterial load into your bloodstream. Use something like a Tick Key or similar that gets under the tick and pries it up out of your skin without ripping its head off still embedded in you, or squishing everything inside of it into you ala tweezers.
Lastly, and this is definitely an "after you've got some experience" item, you could consider trekking poles, even without carrying a pack. You mentioned being out of shape, trekking poles can really take some strain off of your knees, hips and ankles and spread it to your upper body. Definitely don't go out and buy them to start with, but keep them in mind if you find your lower joints really bothering you. Lots of people even brag up Walmart's and Costco's trekking poles that are pretty inexpensive. Just be sure to get the kind that have "flip-locks" instead of the "twist-locks" if you get adjustable length poles. Most people who start with twist locks quickly move on to flip locks after their twist lock poles collapse under them a few times. Watch some Youtube videos for proper technique for using poles.
All of the above will either be worn on you or fit in your pockets, with the exception of the water, which you could carry or get some sort of bladder or bottle carrier that would fit to your belt. No need for a pack - unless you want one!
So to summarize:
And go have fun! It's walking, chances are you aren't going to screw that up too badly, and the more you do, the better you'll get. You'll also figure out exactly what you want to have with you out there.
If you own a dog or cat (or any other animal that can get ticks) get some Tick Sticks (e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Mercola-Tick-Stick-Removal/dp/B005N7O6RI).
There are various designs, but they all work in the similar principal of hooking round the base of the tick and then twisting it out of the animal.
Burning off the tick may cause it to disgorge its blood meal back in the animal. Pulling the tick off by hand is likely to leave the mouth parts of the tick in place. Both are liable to cause infections or cause the tick to spread disease to the animal. Using a proper tick stick will remove it without a) leaving the mouth parts in the wound b) shocking the tick and causing it to disgorge the blood back in.
I picked myself up one of these handy keychain tick keys last year for easy removal after a lyme disease outbreak in my city last year. Would recommend.
This has worked well for myself and my dog.
https://www.amazon.com/OTom-Tick-Twister-Pack-Green/dp/B004M5O9TW
Just bought this special pair of tweezers on Amazon. cheers
I did a bunch of hiking in Waterton this weekend and didn't have any issues with ticks. As with any hiking, do a quick once over once you're done to check for them. Maybe invest in a tick twister since they're cheap and it would put your mind at ease. If you get a tick, and you get it off within the first 12 hours you generally won't get any sort of illness from them.
Alright.
One thing I didn't know was that the topical medicine will wash off with water. We kept putting on the monthly tick/flea medicine but he kept getting ticks, because we were also giving him baths every other week.
Next best thing we got was the Tick Key ( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000R1D3KQ/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_rPkdBb10F67MC ) to help with pulling them off.
For future ticks on either the dog or humans, I suggest ordering a tick removal tool. They call them “tick twisters.” They are a tiny plastic tool that you can slide in at the skin and then pull the tick out completely, head and all. I find that doing it with my hands (even on a non-squirming human) the tool makes success much more likely - and even more so with my squirming dog!
This is an example on Amazon, but I’m sure they are available lots of places:
Home Sake Tick Removal Tool for Dogs, Cats and Humans | Ultra-Safe Tick Remover | Removes Entire Head & Body | Pain-Free Ticks Remover | 100% Chemical-Free Tick Control Products | Pack of 3 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071FJHC3D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_-R1RCbM95JE94
I find tick "spoons" to be the best!
http://www.amazon.com/Ticked-Off-Pets-Remover-White/dp/B00008434T
I have been a big fan of the tick key. I also have a small set of tweezers on my SAK classic (0.8oz). I could totally see myself doing the same as you though. Panic in the moment and just wanting it off of you.
I'm surprisingly lucky with tick incidents, living by Ithaca NY. I've only ever had 1 (last year actually), on my inner thigh. Thankfully the bastard decided that was a good spot and didn't keep climbing up.
I just got back jogging from a state park and I'm thinking how few fucks I'd give about the next tick if I could just get this vaccine. But since I don't have that I always keep this tick remover in my hiking bag. Haven't had to use it yet, yay. Small investment, all of $8, for simple/effective tick removal.
http://www.tickencounter.org/prevention/how_not_to_remove_a_tick
You can also use tick removal tools. I have one similar to this https://www.amazon.com/Tick-Key-Products-TickKey-Remover/dp/B000R1D3KQ/ref=zg_bs_2975390011_9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WFQ4S0QVW238A8FFD6K8
But tweezers are just fine too. However, you can't use the tweezers you use to pluck eyebrows. Those are too wide and will crush things. You need tweezers that are really narrow at the tips. These are useful, they have the narrow tips at an angle that is easy to get the ticks with and it has the same tip as the key to slide onto the tick and pull it out like you're pulling out a nail https://www.amazon.com/TickEase-Tick-Remover-Tipped-Tweezers/dp/B00KI1I7BU
Here it is on Amazon
Jesus folks, just get one of these already:
http://www.amazon.com/Tick-Twister-Pro-Remover/dp/B010NU1V1I?ie=UTF8&keywords=tick%20twister&qid=1465274039&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2
Tick keys are great for removal - http://www.amazon.com/Tick-Key-Removal-Pack-Multi/dp/B0014B1TR2
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TRIX-TICK-LASSO-REMOVER-HUMANS/dp/B001QC34LS/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1469708544&sr=8-17-spons&keywords=tick+remover&psc=1
A trix tick remover, and
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anself-Stainless-Hand-pained-Cosmetic-Magnifying/dp/B013LB17JW/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469708870&sr=8-5&keywords=small+magnifying+mirror
a small compact magnifying mirror such as this one
and don't forget the insect repellent .
heres my dog album
I have two pitbulls, had a third till she got sick and had to be put down :( and an australian shephard who is strong enough to pull both my pits around when they play tug of war. i know exactly what toys last the longest.
This ball is by far their favorite and lasts until we lose them. your dog will rip off the feet, the horns and the squeeker but the ball part will last forever!
Other pit owners claim this will last forever it took my dogs less than a minute to rip it open and rip out the stuffing. however, the outside has lasted a very long time! so if you dont mind it being split open it should last.
if i see a garage sale or go to a thrift store ill pick up a basket ball the dogs pop it immediately and it gets ripped apart but the majority of it has lasted a long time
if you go grocery shopping they have beef bones im pretty sure that what their called. but they not only feed your dog but the bones last a long time too.
if i win, the tick twister would be great since i live in the woods and its tick season.
You recommend using tweezers but something like this would be better: http://www.amazon.com/Contech-300000772-Tick-Twister-Pro/dp/B000VUSV6Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1371528484&sr=8-2&keywords=tick+remover+tool
Source: I spend a lot of time outdoors too, mountain biking, camping, etc. I carry this with me always.
Take her to you vet, they should also be able to give you a special tool that is for removing ticks. It's looks a bit like the claw of a hammer and makes it far easier to take them out then with tweezers. I live in Australia and our ticks are scary so most vet recommend them for anyone who goes bush walking.
https://www.amazon.com.au/Pack-ZenPet-Tick-Tornado-Removal/dp/B010NU1V1I/ref=asc_df_B010NU1V1I/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=341772817816&hvpos=1o9&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12804250129565077048&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9071842&hvtargid=pla-373661072329&psc=1 an example of a good one that is similar to the one I have used
I have a dog and have tried pretty much every removal tool, this twisty style works the best, you can get them in the pharmacy - https://www.amazon.co.uk/OTom-02-3785-Otom-Tick-Twister/dp/B0089BOK12
This is the Tick Key that I have. I picked mine up at Dicks sporting goods last year before Peach Fest.
Get one of these. They work great. You use the end opposite the tweezers to get ticks out of your pup. It works like a wedge and pulls them out with the head every time.
Next time. I bought these tweezers but haven't had to use them yet.
I suggest that you get something like a tick key or spoon so next time you don't have to worry!